Abstract: What is described herein are compositions for treating hair and skin containing a cationic polymer derived from an N-vinyl lactam, preferably vinyl pyrrolidone (VP), a dimethylaminoalkylmethacrylamide, preferably dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMA) and a quaternized C9 to C24 alkyl dimethylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide, preferably quaternized dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide (QDMAPMA) in a cosmetically acceptable concentration range. Hair, skin and other personal care compositions which include these and similar polymers described herein exhibit low tackiness, superior fixative properties and high humidity resistance as well as excellent penetrating and conditioning properties for oxidizing or reducing compositions as required in hair coloring, bleaching and permanent waving while further promoting hair texture and shine.